Great progress: St. Ursula schools celebrate successful conversion!

Great progress: St. Ursula schools celebrate successful conversion!

In Villingen, a significant step in the transformation of the St. Ursula schools is carried out. After completion of another construction phase, the renovation and renovation of the former monastery building becomes increasingly visible. Headmaster Christoph Käfer and architect Martina Münster gave insights into the challenges and progress of the current work during a press tour. The focus is on strict guidelines of the monument office and practical needs.

These structural measures are particularly important because they should not only preserve the historical value of the building, but also have to meet modern pedagogical requirements. Above all, the focus is on the integration of the former monastery into school, which also requires an adaptation of the rooms. The conversion began after the monastery was dissolved in 2015 after the last sisters left the building. The renovation work has been running since September 2022.

preservation of historical structures

One of the greatest challenges is to preserve the historical substance of the monastery. This includes structural conditions such as the low doors and the small monastery cells built for the former residents. In the planning, care was taken to integrate these elements into the new school rooms.

In addition to the visible changes, safety -related aspects also had to be taken into account. Fire protection doors were installed and energy -saving measures were implemented for the historic wooden windows. The construction work that drives over several years is a cost -intensive undertaking. So far, a total of five million euros have been invested in the renovation, whereby the third construction phase alone is costs with 2.4 million euros.

The entire renovation is borne by the school foundation of the Archdiocese of Freiburg. Around 620 pupils currently attend St. Ursula schools, around 400 of them the high school and the rest of the junior high school. With the new premises, lessons should not only be designed more innovative, but also a room for the day school that meets the needs of the students.

On the second floor, a new area for the day school is being built, in which several monastery cells were merged into generous school rooms. A wide hallway serves as a lounge area in which the students learn, do homework or just relax.

The cooperation with the monument office has ensured that the new elements are harmoniously integrated into the historical building. Martina Münster emphasizes the good cooperation: "The monument office was on board every decision." The color design and the lighting concept were developed in coordination with the office in order to meet the updates without sacrificing the character of the monastery.

The next steps in the renovation include the redesign of further classrooms and the redesign of the outdoor facilities. A new bicycle parking space for up to 200 bicycles is also planned to better meet the requirements of the students. For this purpose, the current autoof is to be rebuilt to create more capacity for the bicycles.

Overall, the developments at the St. Ursula schools show how well thought-out planning and respect for historical values can be reconciled. The current work is not only a sign of the progress of the school, but also an example of how old structures can be preserved and transferred to a modern educational concept, which defines the important role of St. Ursula schools in the region.